The Simcoe Star - Nov. 3rd to 7th

DEAR SIMCOE STAR FAMILIES,

As we usher in November, we are excited about all the progress that students are making. We are engaging in ongoing progress monitoring, specifically assessing student's math and literacy skills over the first two months of school. It's so great to see the consolidation of skills and to see students' confidence bloom. We are looking forward to another great month of learning!

THIS WEEK

• Monday, November 3rd: (Day 2)
• • Girls Inc. after school
  • Kanyen'kéha and Anishinaabemowin classes continue this week
  • Senior volleyball at afternoon recess
  • Spirit Day! Wear blue, yellow, or any JG Simcoe PS gear. You can buy Simcoe swag here: https://specialtytrophies.ca/4g/JGSIMCOESTORE/
• Tuesday, November 4th: (Day 3)
• • YMCA Group for Grade 3 and 4 students after school
  • Senior volleyball at morning recess
  • Tutors from Queen's University are offering free tutoring at our school from 3:00 - 4:00pm: let us know if you are interested! Note: the tutoring is 1:1, so if you sign up on a Tuesday, you will have to wait until the following Tuesday to start sessions so the company can send enough tutors. Sorry for any inconvenience!
• Wednesday, November 5th: (Day 4)
• • Girls STEM Lunch and Learn Program for Girls in Grade 4 and up (every Wednesday for six weeks during second lunch/recess)
  • Junior volleyball at morning recess
  • Grade 7 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school (off-site)
  • Running and Reading after school
• Thursday, November 6th: (Day 5)
• • Senior volleyball at morning recess
  • Choir/karaoke at afternoon recess
  • Grade 8 Off-Property Day
  • Girls Inc. after school
• Friday, November 7th: (Day 1)
• • Junior volleyball at morning recess
  • Dance Club at afternoon recess
  • Spirit Day! Pajama Day to end the week on a comfy note :)

UPCOMING DATES OF SIGNIFICANCE

• November 10^th:
• • Grade 7 Immunizations
• November 11th:
• • Remembrance Day Ceremony
• November 13th:
• • Progress Reports Sent Home
• December 2^nd:
• • Picture Retake Day and Class Photos
• March 2^nd:
• • Grade 8 Graduation Picture Day

FREE TUTORING AFTER SCHOOL!

• A group of Queen's University students founded a free tutoring service called 'Bright Futures Kingston', and they are offering their services at our sites on Tuesdays from 3:00pm - 4:00pm.
• Please let us know if you would like to sign your student up for extra support. Note: the tutoring is 1:1, so if you sign up on a Tuesday, you will have to wait until the following Tuesday to start sessions so the company can send enough tutors. Sorry for any inconvenience!

STUDENT CENSUS

• Limestone is committed to creating safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments for all students. To help us better understand how students’ identities and experiences relate to their achievement and well-being, we are launching our second See Yourself in Limestone Student Census Survey this fall.
• The census is a voluntary and confidential survey for students in Grades 4 to 12, running from November 24 to 28, 2025. It gathers information about students’ identities and their experiences at school. This data is then paired with academic information to help us understand what school is like for different groups of students.
• Important information for families:
• • The survey is optional.
  • Responses are confidential and students can skip any questions they do not wish to answer.
  • Students will complete the survey during class time.
  • Students who do not participate will be provided with an alternative activity.
• Families who do not want their student(s) to complete the survey must contact their school principal by Friday, November 14, 2025. Opting out means the student will not receive the survey in their e-mail inbox.
• By better understanding students’ identities and experiences, we can remove barriers and better support students in accessing what they need to succeed.
• Learn more about the Student Census and how it supports equity in Limestone: limestone.on.ca/student_census

HELP SHAPE OUR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

• The Limestone District School Board is committed to fostering accessibility and inclusion for all. We are currently developing our next Multi-Year Accessibility Plan and invite feedback from students, staff, families, and community members.
• Your input will help ensure our goals reflect the diverse needs and lived experiences across our school communities. Please visit bit.ly/LDSB2025-2029AccessibilityPlan to provide input. The survey is open until November 10, 2025

SCHOOL ADVISORY COUNCIL

• Our next School Advisory Council Meeting will be on Thursday, November 20th at 3:30pm. If you want to come but can't make this date or time, please let us know at jgsim@limestone.on.ca. Thanks! ALL ARE WELCOME!

BUS ZONE SAFETY

• We have put in a request to get our bus zone painted. Please avoid parking in front of the garden and main doors of the school so students can be safely loaded onto bus transportation. Thank you!

SMOKING AND VAPING

• Please do not smoke or vape on school property. You must be 20 metres away from school property. We have many staff and students with asthma, other respiratory disorders, and who are medically fragile. Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe!

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT AND SEXUAL HEALTH

• As part of LDSB's commitment to ongoing transparency and communication with families, please follow the link to Form 325-D on the LDSB website. It outlines the Human Development and Sexual Health curriculum expectations for Grades 1-8.
• Families can request to have their child or children exempted from instruction related to Human Development and Sexual Health expectations by completing and returning an exemption form for each child (Form 325-B) five school days before the start of instruction.
• Prior to instruction, your child's classroom teacher will inform parents/guardians when the expectations related to the Human Development and Sexual Health expectations in Strand D will be covered.

INSURANCE

• The LDSB requires that students have student accident insurance in order to participate in extra-curricular activities. Before students will be allowed to participate in these events, parents/guardians must confirm their own coverage for items not covered under the Provincial Health Plan, or purchase an insurance plan (www.insuremykids.com).

INDIGENOUS SELF-IDENTIFICATION

• The Limestone District School Board (LDSB) invites students to voluntarily and confidentially self-identify as Indigenous. Elementary and secondary students with First Nations, Métis, and/or Inuit ancestry can self-identify.
• School board self-identification is based on any degree of Indigenous ancestry (Status, Non-Status, Métis citizenship, etc.). Self-identification can be withdrawn at any time. LDSB, in accordance with the Ministry of Education, Ontario, does not require proof of identity to self-identify.
• https://www.limestone.on.ca/indigenous-self-identification

ALLERGEN AND SCENT AWARENESS

• Thank you for packing nut-free snacks! Please communicate with teachers before sending any treats in for your student's class.
• We have some staff and students alike who get migraines triggered by strong scents. Please avoid wearing perfume and cologne and using strong scented laundry detergent. Thank you!

LICE CHECKS

• Head lice are common among school-aged children, and early detection and treatment help prevent them from spreading to others. Regularly checking your child’s hair and treating right away avoids unnecessary discomfort.
• By working together as a school community, we can keep everyone healthy and comfortable. Please reach out to the school if you have any questions or need assistance

COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES